Whether you live in the city or the country, Amy suggests growing your own summer crops. “Even in downtown Toronto you can grow your own,” she says. “I usually plant more tomatoes (all sorts of varieties) and zucchini than I can eat, plus a bounty of herbs.” (See the progress of her garden in a recent blog post.)

A sparkling cocktail is all you need bring your party up a notch. “During our long, cold Canadian winters, I take comfort in red wine, but come summer, it’s all about Gin and Tonics, beer, Rosé wine, and if it’s a particularly steamy day, spritzers,” says Amy. “They’re a 1980s throwback that we call all get behind.”

Here’s what Amy has to say about her number one berry: “Cherries come and go like a passing breeze, while strawberries seem to hang around all year — except for those lovely local berries we get for about a month during summer, yum. But to me, blueberries are the berry to beat, and can be used in so many preparations, including this dramatic yet easy summer pudding.”

“I eat tomatoes every day during summer, especially in August when my personal harvest is at its peak,” says Amy. “Tomatoes are a chameleon in the kitchen; they work hot or cold, sliced or diced, roasted or…well, you get the picture. Hooray for tomatoes!“

“The world has woken up to the splendour of locally raised and harvested food and drink, and as a happy offshoot, agricultural hubs have suddenly become tourist destinations,” explains Amy. “Be it Ontario’s Prince Edward County or B.C.’s Cowichan Bay, there’s a day trip out there for food lovers from coast to coast.” The mouth-watering brunch selections pictured here are from Vancouver market Le Marché St. George. The menu is based on the 100-Mile Diet, with a selection of rustic breads, foraged-berry syrup, vanilla peaches and black-raspberry yogurt.

“You should see my Little Italy neighbourhood when the peppers are ripe — all the old ladies get together to clean and roast them by the bushel before canning them — it’s incredible,” exclaims Amy. “Same goes for tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini and beans. My brother makes pepper jelly during summer — enough sweet heat for a year’s worth of cheese plates.”

“I’m not an apple pie fan, so summer is really the only time I actually enjoy eating pie — hello, strawberry-rhubarb!” says Amy. “I also got the recipe for a Blueberry Crumble Pie from my cottage neighbour, Judy, and it forever changed our lives.“

Amy supports the occasional summertime sugar high. “The midway! The petting zoo! The noise and games and giant stuffed animals! But most of all, summer exhibitions and midways such as Toronto’s EX, are all about the food,” she says. “It’s the one night each year you can stuff your face with everything from funnel cakes to deep fried Mars bars, and feel zero guilt about it. Because this is what you came to do.”

“Be it your husband’s scorched chicken or your own championship smoked brisket, summertime in Canada means eating meat outdoors as much as possible,” says Amy. “That’s why backyard barbecues and smokers take centre stage for these few fleeting months. Burgers are always a favourite, but really, it’s about eating al fresco with family and friends until the sun dips into the lake. Then it’s time for roasted marshmallows,” says Amy.